CFS Solutions of West Michigan Brings PANDORA on Board; Takes Its Name

CFS Solutions of West Michigan has brought the formerly Florida-based NeuroEndocrineImmune patient advocacy organization, PANDORA,* on board in Michigan and has adopted the PANDORA name and its broader disease focus.

As of September 1, the new PANDORA entity had settled into headquarters outside Grand Rapids (Wyoming, MI).

Regional Activity Plus a Broader Agenda

The new melded nonprofit organization will include a “CFS Solutions” program of regional patient group classes, meetings, and social events, according to President & Director Lori Chapo-Kroger, who has taken the reins from retiring PANDORA Founder Marly Silverman. News about these west Michigan area activities & events for those with chronic illness can be found at http://www.CFSsolutions.org. Or phone 231-360-6830.

The new PANDORA site (http://p-a-n-d-o-r-a.org) as before features information about NeuroEndocrineImmune disorders (aka NEIDs) and the organization’s continuing NEID patient advocacy, education and support projects.

NEIDs are debilitating diseases that include chronic fatigue syndrome (also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS), but also fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease, Gulf War illness and multiple chemical sensitivities. All are underserved locally, nationally and globally in terms of research funding and access to knowledgeable medical care.

“PANDORA’s name is well-known for improving patient quality of life through advocacy, education and direct assistance,” says Lori Chapo-Kroger. “I plan to continue that tradition.”

Combined Leadership, Grassroots Support & Agendas

PANDORA now has a new set of officers, directors and volunteers, which are a combination of former PANDORA and CFS Solutions of West Michigan (now CFS Solutions) personnel.

For years, both of the merging organizations have sent representatives to the congressionally mandated CFS Advisory Committee in Washington D.C.

And both organizations envision creating centers for specialized care for NEIDs patients, because these conditions overlap, have similar symptoms and involve similar pathophysiologies.

Work on these newly unified goals will continue, says Lori.

Marly’s Blessing

“As I say my final good-byes to PANDORA, I am excited that a new, young and vibrant team is in place, ready to address the issues affecting the quality of life of individuals with NEI diseases,” says PANDORA founder Marly Silverman.

“I believe our organization will fill a need in Michigan and will continue to fill its niche nationally, by creating awareness and promoting change that leads to permanent and viable solutions and restoring quality of life to those stricken with NEI diseases.

“I congratulate Lori Chapo-Kroger as the new president of PANDORA, and I wish her continued success.”

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* P.A.N.D.O.R.A. stands for Patient Alliance for NeuroEndocrineImmune Disorders Organization for Research and Advocacy Inc.